The Sycamore Gap Tree is by Hadrian's Wall, between Milecastle 39 and Crag Lough, about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) west of Housesteads Roman Fort in Northumberland, Northern England.[1] This section of the wall follows the edge of a cliff – an outcrop of the Whin Sill – and several sharp dips in it caused by melting glacial waters.[2] The tree stands within one of these dips with the cliff and wall rising dramatically either side of it.[1] The wall and adjacent land, including the site of the tree, are owned by the National Trust.[1] A popular tourist attraction, the tree is described as one of the most photographed in the country and the location may be the most photographed point in all of Northumberland National Park.[3][4][5] It is visible from the nearby B6318 Military Road.[1] The name "Sycamore Gap" was coined by a National Trust employee when the Ordnance Survey were remapping the area and asked if the previously unnamed spot had a designation.[6]

In 2016, the tree was nominated for England's Tree of the Year competition.[4] It was selected from 200 competitors for the final shortlist of 10 and won the competition with 2,542 votes out of 11,913.[2] The prize was a £1000 grant which was used to survey the health of the tree and to carry out work to protect its roots, which were becoming exposed due to the high volume of foot traffic passing over them.[1] The Sycamore Gap Tree was entered in the 2017 European Tree of the Year awards in which it came 5th out of 16, polling 7,123 votes.[1][5]